Max had been dreading this. It was the epitome of everything unfair in this world. He was faster and stronger, and he had saved her life, and this was what he got for it.

She lazily followed Sketchy and Normal, walking through Jam Pony toward the front of the store. The air was thick and suffocating, and she wasn't sure if she would make it without revealing too much.

The night air was cool, but it was not raining. Not tonight. It was a lonely walk, even with Original Cindy walking next to her. Usually, OC had a way of comforting her. Not tonight. Tonight, OC could squeeze her friend's hand with all her might and still not peel past the isolated layers and impenetrable walls Max had raised. Their breaths came out in white clouds.

Finally, everyone had left, even OC, and she had stayed there until nearly 2:00 a.m. She had waited.

She had waited for it to feel like maybe he was still there with her. She had waited for his arms to encircle her and squeeze her lovingly. She had waited for his smile to brighten her day. She had waited for whatever asinine comment would eventually cause her to lift her open palm to the back of his head or playfully punch him in the arm. She had waited for the innuendo to seep into the conversation. She had waited for the day he would tell her he loved her, and finally touch his lips to hers.

But she had waited too long, and now it was too late.

"Alec, I miss you," she told him.

"You can't miss me if I'm not gone," he whispered.

She felt his hand at her temple, softly cupping her cheek and leaning his head down toward hers. She cuddled against his leather jacket, surrounding herself with his scent. She closed her eyes against the pain in her body. She needed him. She ached for him.

"Something to tell me, Maxie?" he asked, his breath playing against her hair, blowing it into the wind.

"Now it's too late."

"It's never too late," he responded, kissing her again, this time tasting her, drinking her.

"Can't I just fade into you?" she asked, smoothing one hand up his chest and the other through his hair.

"You already have."

"I think it's strange you never knew," she said, slipping her arms around him.

"Never knew what?" he asked, kissing her chastely on the lips.

"Never knew I was in love with you."

He smiled, then it faded. "Was?"

Max played with the grass at her fingers as if it was his hair, staring at the mound of dirt, under which Alec's body was buried.